[Watch] "I'm leaving with peace in my heart" Shikhar Dhawan announces retirement through emotional social media video

Shikhar Dhawan played a total of 269 international matches across the three formats for India between 2010 and 2022.

Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on August 24, 2024.

The 38-year-old took to social media to make this announcement through an emotional video in which he said he is “leaving with peace in my heart” having been part of the Indian cricket team for more than a dozen years.

The left-hander made his India debut in 2010 and played his last international game in 2022. He played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is, scoring 2315, 6793 and 1579 runs respectively. He was the leading run-scorer in the victorious 2013 Champions Trophy tournament. Dhawan cracked 17 ODI centuries and seven test hundreds.

He made his first-class debut for Delhi in 2004.

I always had one goal in mind that was to play for India: Shikhar Dhawan

In the video he posted on social media, Shikhar Dhawan said, “I always had one goal in mind that was to play for India and I achieved it thanks to a lot of people. First of all my family, my childhood coach Tarak Sinha and Madan Sharma, under their guidance, I learnt cricket. Then my entire team with whom I played for years, got another family, fame and everyone’s love and support. As it’s said that to move ahead in the story you need to flip over the pages. Hence, I’m also doing that, I’m announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket.“

“And now when I’m bidding adieu to my cricketing journey, I have the satisfaction that I played a lot for my country. I’m really thankful to the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and DDCA (Delhi & District Cricket Association) for giving me this opportunity and all of my fans for their love and support. I just say this to myself that don’t be sad that you won’t play for your country again but always be happy that you played for your country. And it’s the biggest achievement for me that I played,” he added.

In the IPL, Shikhar Dhawan turned up for Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings. He’s currently the second-highest run-scorer in the IPL history.

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